2006 Ford Mustang GT - Lime Disease

Jimmy Pongracz’s obsession has been dormant since childhood, but the bug bit when the S197 Mustang came out

Stephanie DaviesAssociate Online Editor

January 10, 2014

Photos By:
John Machaqueiro

To say Jimmy Pongracz from Hamilton, New Jersey, likes green might be an understatement.

Just one glance at his ’06 Mustang GT will tell you all you need to know about Jimmy’s favorite color. He has loved the Legend Lime hue since he first saw its predecessor on ’60s fastbacks (Lime Gold), and when Legend Lime became available in 2005, he had to have one.

“I saw the green and that was it. I was hooked,” Jimmy told us. He also told his wife, Lee, that he had been bitten by the bug, but Lee wasn’t sure that her husband who is over 6-feet tall could fit comfortably in the S197 Mustang. When he finally had a day off from work after having surgery on his shoulder, he headed over to a local Ford dealership—sling and all—and asked to sit in a Mustang.

“I called her and I said, ‘I fit!’ and she said, ‘oh, crap,’” he laughed. She told him to look for one in their price range and soon, in 2009, he found the car which graces these pages. It had been garage kept, was completely stock, and had only 3,600 miles on the odometer, making it a perfect match.

Photo Gallery

It wasn’t long before the modification began. While the engine remains mostly stock, nearly every surface has a unique green-and-black touch. Hours have been spent perfecting the artwork, including custom airbrushing by Jason Oberly of Oberly Airbrush Studio, and powdercoating and hydrographics by Bobby Smith. A Ford Racing intake manifold and BBK cold-air intake (with a green filter, of course), as well as a Ford Racing 62mm throttle body, and Pypes long-tube headers with a full exhaust pretty much sum up the list of horsepower modifications—for now.

As far as suspension goes, the front of the beauty houses Eibach Pro struts and lowering springs. In the rear, 3.73 gears, CHE lower control arms, and QA1 single-adjustable shocks are housed. There are UMI sway bars in the front and rear, as well as a UMI adjustable Panhard bar.

Now the fun part. It isn’t hard to tell even at first glance that this isn’t your usual Mustang. This highly personalized GT also wears Roush quarter window scoops, 3D carbon bodyscoops, and a CDC chin spoiler and splitter, which all adds to the appearance of the Pony. A Shelby GT350 hood and a 3D carbon Racer Boy spoiler, as well as a 3D carbon GT body kit finish out the body lines. Wanting more to finish it off, he added custom striping and vinyl (applied by himself and Al Viary) to truly complete the exterior transformation. Croftgate USA car care products keep the entire Mustang sparkling. The Mustang rolls on Foose Legend wheels.

It’s my pride and joy. Lots of hours have been spent turning her from stock to insane.

Sitting in the interior, one might not even realize that they’re in a Mustang. It has been completely gutted, and nearly every surface has been overhauled to keep the green theme. The stripe from the hood spills into the interior with super unique detail. The leather seats are custom black and green, as are the door panels. Even the steering wheel screams Lime GT!

With a Mustang that demands attention, Jimmy has gained tons of friends and supporters. He has also won many awards, including Best 2006 GT Hardtop at Carlisle All-Ford Nationals in 2012 and 2013, as well as Best 2005-2009 GT Modified at the 2011 American Muscle show, and 2013 Mustang Week Award of Excellence. In the quarter-miler, he has run a best of 13.4 at 105 mph.

“It’s my pride and joy,” Jimmy says, “Lots of hours have been spent turning her from stock to insane. She is truly one of a kind.”